Ha, the little Pilatus!
We imported three of them (A-817, A-863 and A-868) back when they were sold by the Swiss Army. We had some troubles in getting a permit to fly them, but in the end we were able to work a deal with Transport Canada so we could fly around. Since then, there's a new permit in Canada for Warbirds and classics that makes things so much easier. We had zero troubles when we brought in the Focke-Wulf, since the permit was in force.
Flying :
The Pilatus is the nicest flying aircraft I've ever flown. The controls are light and crisp, you just think about a manoeuver and the aircraft makes it happen. It's like flying a Spitfire I guess...
It is underpowered, and you really feel it when it's hot in the summer. Two big guys (200lbs), fuel fuel (250lbs) and you feel the thing dragging on and on on the runway, you tuck up your butt and it takes-off. Push the nose down a bit, accelerate while you still have unobstructed airport space ahead and reduce to climb power. Off you are. In the air, it's a jet. It has a laminar flow wing, it will do any airbatics (classic ones that is) and will just go down the hill like a bat out of hell. The Vne is quite high, around 600 km/h.
Pattern and landings are easily completed, although in a busy pattern with Indians (aka Cessnas and Pipers), you feel that the aircraft is draggy with the gears and the flaps out. However, a clear pattern will see you make spiffy aproaches. Since all the speeds are marked by coloured lines, it's very easy to fly : Gear down - white, reference speed - yellow, etc...
On landing, it never bounces, the shocks are that good. Keep back pressure on the stick, hold the nose high and let the aircraft brake itself, like a F-16. I hardly use brakes on our 3 000' runway with that method. The brakes are the weak point, they are Goodyear's and could use some bittyness from Clevlands. I know it can be done, there's one in Philly with Clevelands I heard...
The cockpit layout is spot on, all you need in the air is on the left side of the pit. All the other stuff, like the starter, primer, switches are on the right.
The only lowdown, save for the limited power, is the very limited range. With 150 liters of fuel and a 60 liters/hour consumption, you need to plan your trips. 160NM is really the max you should do before refuelling. However, the gauges are very accurate.
Compared with the Focke-Wulf, the Pilatus is like a Spit, while the Wulf is the Bf 110. It can carry alot, but is not very nervous, and is extremely forgiving. If I have to go far or land on a short strip, the Wulf is the plane of choice, but for everything else, the Pilatus wins. The superior cockpit layout makes it a pleasure to fly.
You may hear bad things about geared engine, but they are very reliable, if you know their history. Abuse won't help them, but they will give you 1 500 hours with good care. Our friend, who own one of the P-3 we imported has its engine on condition now, and it's still doing great. Be gentle with it, like you would with a turbocharged one, think in advance, etc.
I won't compare it to the Caravan, because that beast of a Cessna isn't quite in the same league!
I'll dig up pictures.
One last note : maintenance. It's a breeze, the aircraft opens up very easily and is very well designed. It takes about one day and a half to do the annual on ours.
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